Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HaiRyPiG88 01-20-07, 09:54 AM	Just bought a Composite Longbow +2 for my Lvl 3 Elf Ranger as he has a +2 str modifier. Was wondering how I factor in his high dex modifier with ranged weaponary as well as str? Have chosen to specialise in ranged combat rather than duel weilding as there are several fighters in my party and we have no competant bowmen. Could also do with adding my dex to his melee attacks as they are not very substantial. Only has a longsword atm. Any tips would be appreciated. Have only been playing for a month and this is my new char. Thanks HairyPig :D
Suin Bahhar 01-20-07, 09:58 AM	oO What's his dex then?
HaiRyPiG88 01-20-07, 10:09 AM	Don't have his stat sheet with me here to know his actual scores. But his dex modifer is +4. Thanks for quick response. The Hairy Pig :D
DrMorganes 01-20-07, 10:11 AM	To restate: How do I maximize my character's STR and DEX bonuses while using my shiny new +2 longbow? Can I add my DEX modifier to my bow's damage? Can I add my STR modifier to my bow's damage? If I understood you correctly: STR modifiers with bows require the Mighty property, which is essentially making the bow out of special materials to increase it's pull. If your +2 longbow is NOT a +2 mighty longbow, you're out of luck. Mighty is NOT a magical property; it's based on the actual materials used to craft the bow. I think there's a feat in an expansion sourcebook (also called "splatbooks") that allows one to add your DEX modifier to ranged damage, but it doesn't stack with a STR modifier as far as I know. Use of the Weapon Finesse feat allows you to add your DEX modifier instead of your STR modifier to your melee attack rolls. You still use STR for your damage bonus, however. There may be a feat somewhere that alters this...
DrMorganes 01-20-07, 10:15 AM	Don't have his stat sheet with me here to know his actual scores. But his dex modifer is +4. Thanks for quick response. The Hairy Pig :D OK - so you're better off using your DEX for attack rolls. This already happens with ranged weapons, so you're naturally a better archer than melee warrior. Since rangers don't have many feats to spare, I wouldn't worry overmuch about boosting your melee prowess. Hang back and poink away. Consider feats which boost your ranged attacks. Point Blank Shot (+1 to hit AND damage when your target is within 30') and Precise Shot (eliminates -4 penalty to attack rolls when firing into melee) will go a long way.
Pivotal 01-20-07, 11:00 AM	having a composite bow only lets you add your strength to damage rolls. So when you attack with your bow your attack bonus will be a total of +7 (+3 from your base attack bonus and +4 from dex) and your damage will be 1d8+2. Remember that your rapid shot feat gives you another attack but at -2 so you can do a +5/+5 instead of +7. Your longsword currently has an attack bonus of +5 (+3 from bab and +2 from strength) and a damage of 1d8+2. As for using dex for melee attacks there is weapon finesse feat wich replaces your strength with dex when calculting melee attack bonus. But this is hardly worth it for your character. You should try getting some feats like Point Blank Shot and Presice Shot. Also getting a magical bow is important and you should at higher levels always try and carry with you as many different types of arrows as possible because you want to be able to go trough damage reduction. Also stuff like overdraw and more powerfull bows like the greatbow might be interesting. But it kind of depends on what books you have availible. Dr Morgans: What have you been smoking? First of all he has a composite longbow +2 not a +2 longbow. There is no such thing as mighty. Its the composite feature that lets you add your strength to your damage when attacking with bows.
DrMorganes 01-20-07, 11:07 AM	Dr Morgans: What have you been smoking? First of all he has a composite longbow +2 not a +2 longbow. There is no such thing as mighty. Its the composite feature that lets you add your strength to your damage when attacking with bows. Sorry. Holdover from 3.0 rules. I still get 'em mixed up...:embarrass
Talon Stormwarden 01-20-07, 12:21 PM	having a composite bow only lets you add your strength to damage rolls. .....Dr Morgans: What have you been smoking? First of all he has a composite longbow +2 not a +2 longbow. There is no such thing as mighty. Its the composite feature that lets you add your strength to your damage when attacking with bows. You don't get to add your str damage with any composite longbow, the longbow has to have a strength rating. Longbow, Composite: You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is less than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a –2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite longbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite longbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 100 gp to its cost. For purposes of weapon proficiency and similar feats, a composite longbow is treated as if it were a longbow. So in order to answer the OP's bow and strength related questions we have to first determine if his new bow is a Composite Longbow (+2 str rating) or a +2 composite longbow or perhaps even a +2 composite longbowwith +2 str rating.
Suin Bahhar 01-20-07, 12:29 PM	A composite long bow +2 is usually a nonmagical composite bow with a max of +2 str bonus. I'd say grab as much dex boosting items as you can, accuracy combined with full attacks is king in archerland. And crits hurt the most from composite bows ^^